Warp or straight-bar knitting machine and the production of fabrics thereon



WARP OR STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND THE PRODUCTION OF FABRICS THEREON Filed July 7, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 26, 19290 w, COOMBES 1,737,218

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Nov. 26, 1929., w. cooMBEs WARP OR STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND THE PRODUCTION OF FABRICS THEREON Filed July 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 PrTTORWEY;

Nov. 26, 1929., V w. cooMBEs 197379218 WARP OR STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND THE PRODUCTION OF FABRICS THEREON Filed July 7, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Pr TTo R KEYS Nov. 26, 1929. w. COOMBES 1,737,218

WARP OR STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND THE PRODUCTION OF FABRICS THEREON Filed July 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 RNEYS Nov. 26, 1929. w, coo s' 1,737,218 I WARP 0R STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND THE PRODUCTION OF FABRICS THEREON I Filed July 7, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 N \f E. NT 0 R2 IVY/lam (aw/r160:

Patented Nov. 26, 1929 WILLIAM COOMBES, OF NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND WARP OR STRAIGHT-BAB KNITTING MACHINE AND THE PRODUCTION OF FABRICS THEREON Appncauon filea July 7, 1927, Serial No. 208,926, and in Great Britain December 15, 1926.

This invention has reference to improvements in warp knitting machines and the production of fabrics thereon and has for its principal object to provide means whereby fabrics composed of weft threads extending continuously in a transverse direction from selvedge to selvedge and locked by knitted loops composed of warp threads can be produced on such machines in a more simple and expeditious manner than heretofore.

The invention is concerned particularly but not exclusively with the manufacture of fabrics such as cleaningcloths, sponge cloths and the like from poor quality yarns. It is well known that considerable difliculty exists in the use of such yarns for the manufacture of.fabrics owing to the inherent tendency of same to break. In the use of yarns generally in knitting machines tension must of necessity be applied and in the laying of'weft threads to be been customary to prevent fouling of the weft threads with the needles by applying tension to such threads. In the manufacture of fabrics from poorquality yarns this procedure is obviously impossible and further means must be provided for reventing fouling. The motion of the we t thread carrier members mustbe as smooth as possible and this requirement is particularly emphasized when the laying of the weft thread is interrupted at predetermined intervals.

For the purpose of more fully describing the nature of this invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Figure 1,..is an end elevational view of a machine in accordance with this invention, the one end frame of the machine being removed. Figure 2 illustrates in front elevation the weft carrier commencing the return motion after laying the weft, the interceptor at this position being about to receive the weft. Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a ment of the machine showing the disposition of the needles, fixed gridand movable grid.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are detail views showing in side elevation successive steps in the opheld by chains of warp threads it has 1 perspective view of a frag-' eration of the moving grid upon a weft, the weft interceptor being shown coming into operation in Figure 7 Figure 8 illustrates in elevation means for transmitting motion to a weft carrying device and for enabling such weft carrier to be retained from movement when required.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view of catch mechanism employed in JOIlIlGCtiOII with the weft carrying means shown in Figure 8.

I Figure 10 is a detail view illustrating means for operating the catch mechanism shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Figure 11 illustrates means for selectively operating a plurality of catch mechanisms employed in connection with a plurality of weft carriers.

Figure 12 is an end elevational view of Figure 11' looking in the direction of arrow X. Y

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate in side elevation and plan respectively the operation of a weft deflector employed in an alternative construction of machine for detaching the weft from its carrier.

In the specification the expression front of the needles means the plain side of the needles and the expression back of the needles means the side having the beard or latch. The expressions warp and weft are to be interpreted as embracing single threads or'two or more threads.

In onemethod of carrying out this invention the needles 1, preferably latch needles,

are mounted on a needle bar 2 and the warp threads 3 are passed through guides 4 actuated to lap their threads round the needles 1 which reciprocate to produce knitted chains in accordance with known practice.

The weft 5 is drawn from a conveniently located 'supply by a weft carrier 6 mounted to traverse behind the needles and conven iently extending downwardly to a position somewhat above the highest point to which the needles rise.

Positioned at the rear of the needles and extending substantially rearwardly and upwardly from the upper rear edge of the knocking over or work bar 7 (such bar in accordance with customary practice being- .positioned immediately in front of the wires or plates, the individual wires or plates alternating with the needles 1 and having between them a space suflicient to allow the needles and warp threads 3 to operate freely.

In combination with said statio ar grid 8 is a'movable grid 9. which may al so e composed of wires or plates. Further the wiresof such latter grid 9 may be intermediate ofthe wires ofthe stationary grid 8 and'the movable grid 9 may conveniently be actuated I so that any point in the foremost line of the grid describes acircle a the centre of which may be approximately midway between the line of traverse of the weft thread carrier 6 and the rear ed e of the work bar 7 If the movab e grid is composed of wire, same may be formed from one continuous length bent to provide the required parallelly s aced forwardly projecting portions. and c amped to the grid bar 9" by a clamping strip 9. The wire, which is of round section, has the advantage o f'havin no edges or corners engaging with the wef tf g 4 A weft carrier 6 is positioned to-the rear and vabove the needles 1 and actuated totraversein any convenient manner, but preferably the motion of such carrier is harmonic "motion.

Such carrier 6 in traversing lays the weft 5 behind. the needles 1 and either within the space enclosed by the path of the movable grid 9, or withoutand above such space. In the latter case the carrier is depressed at the end of each stroke in order to bring the weft within the area of action of the movable grid, and such weft is arrested in its fall even if under no appreciable tension by the fixed 'grid 8 and is retained by such grid in a position clear of the needles 1.

In practice it is found that there is a tendencyfor the commencement of each succes sive length of weft laid to foul the needle or needles at or near the end of the fabric at which such length commences, and in order to safeguard against this, interceptor members 10 are provided. A n There is one of such members 10 located beyond each edge of each width of fabric and the manner in whichsuch members function will be more fully described hereafter.

As each successive length of weft is laid by the carrier 6 and positioned on or above the fixed grid 8 such length is moved forwardly and downwardly along such grid by, the movable grid-9 which is actuated to lay the weft on the work bar 7 immediately in front of the needles 1, which needles then rise and engage the warp threads formingknitted loops embracing the weft in a well known manner. The movements of the. movable that the lengths of weft 5 are not moved forwardly and downwardly until the needles 1 have moved below the fixed, grid so that risk of the weft fouling with the needles during such time is eliminated.

As previously stated there is a tendency for the commencement of each successive length of weft to foul the end needle or needles, and to assist in overcoming'this the mova le grid 9 is preferably extended at each lateral extremity beyond the end needles so that each successive length of weft laid on the work bar extends beyond such needles.

After the placing of each length of weft on the work, bar and as the carrier 6 commencesto traverse in a direction opposite-to that in which such length was laid, the free weft beyond the width of the fabric is caused to form a loop embracing the last wire 9 of the movable Figure 2.

The interceptor 10 as above described which has a suitably formed bend or nose 10" is now caused to move into a position between the outermost wire 9 of the movable grid '9 and the next adjacent wire, thereby pressing back the-weft thread 5'away from the path of the needles, and as the movable grid 9 recedes to assume a position ready for moving the next length of weft in front of the needles it re- "leases the said loop of weft and allows it to be drawn towards the centre of the fabric by the motion of the weft carrier 6'until' such loop is arrested by the interceptor 10. It fol-- grid 9 on that side, as shown in lows that the line taken up by the weft now leads to the weft carrier from a point on the upper edge of the interceptor 10 higher and farther back than the p01nt where the weft' leaves the fabric and the risk of fouling the end needles is avoided. After a suflicient time to allow the needles to'fall below the point at which fouling could occur, the interceptor 10 iswithdrawn ,and'the loop of weft released from it so that a perfect sel vedge canbe produced.

The motions of the interceptor :10 may be produced from the main-drive shaft 1-1v by an eccentric through the medium offecc'entric rod 12 and two armed lever 1-3. Other suitable means may, however; be incorporated for operating said interceptor. Means are provided for interrupting the laying of weft while continuing the knitting of warp threads. In one arrangement-1a *1 sleeve or collar 14 s'lidably mounted-upon a horizontal rod 15 extendin lengthwiseof the machine above the level 0 the" needles -1 and to the rear of said needles has imparted thereto a reciproeatory motion upon said rod from an u wardly extending osclllating arm '16 or the l1ke at the one end of the machine through v the intermediary of a link connected at 17 between the arm and'sleeve. The oscillating arm 16 which is preferably. operated from a arm 6 having a thread-accommodating eye or loop at its end,-which carrier is adapted,

to be traversed across the machine to lay the weft,is mounted upon a sleeve-like part 20 which in turn is slidably mounted upon a second horizontal rod 21 extending parallel with the first rod 15. To an upstanding part or parts on this carrier sleeve 20 is pivoted at a position intermediate of its ends a hook-like catch 22 which extends longitudinally of the sleeve. This catch may comprise a plate having a bevelled nose 22 the arm 14 projecting from the continually reciprocating sleeve 14 being normally accommodated on the under side of the catch at the back of the nose and the catch being normally held in engagement with said arm 14 by spring means 23. When so engaged, the weft carrier is traversed to and fro in unison with the aforesaid reciprocating sleeve, thus laying the weft.

In order to interrupt the laying of the weft a small rotatably or pivotally mounted finger rod 24 suitably located at one end of the weft traverse is actuated at intervals by high links 25 on a travelling chain 26 or by projections on a rotary drum to move into the path of and coact with an inclined tail portion 22 of the pivoted catch 22 to depress said tailm This raises the hook end 22 and releases therefrom I the arm 14 of the reciprocating sleeve 14 which then traverses without the weft carrier sleeve 20 which remains stationary at the end of the machine until the finger 24 is'again' returned by spring or other means to its normal position after passing overithe high link on the chain 26, the return of said pin releasing the, catch 22 which then moves tothe operative position by spring 23.

When the catch 22 is in the operative position, the arm 14 on the reciprocating sleeve coacts with the bevelled nose of the. catch,

raises said nose and passes to the rear of the downwardly projecting part thereof, the parts being then connected for traversing the weft until a further high link 25 on the chain 26 acts to interrupt again the weft laying.

Advantageouslythe finger 24 projects laterally in the direction in which the catch 22 is traversed from the one arm of a two armed lever 27 pivoted at 28, a, nose 27 at the end of the second arm of said lever being maintained by spring or gravity, in engagement with the chain 26. The chain is caused to travel intermittently by any suitable means such for example as by a pivoted pawl or clawker 29 operated by eccentric 30 interthus enabling the pattern or texture of the v fabric produced to be extensively varied by the simple operation of controlling the weft laying.

In a convenient method of accomplishing this an arrangement will be described embodying three weft carriers (see Figures 11 and 12) it being understood, however, that the number may be varied to suit existing requirements.

The lateral arm 14 carried by the reciprocating sleeve 14 is adapted to coact with catch members 22, one of which is associated with each of three'sleeves 20, 20, 20 said sleeves being slidably mounted upon three horizontal rods 21,21, 21 extending lengthwise of the machine and preferably disposedparallel in one horizontal plane. V

The sleeves 20, 20, 20 carry three weft carriers 6, 6, 6 which extend downwardly and are so shaped as to ensure the several threads carried thereby being fed to the required position relatively to the needles.

It will be appreciated that if all of the catch members appertaining to the carriers 6, 6, 6 (or both catches in the case of two carriers) are attached to the lateral arm 14 of the continuously reciprocating sleeve 14, all of the carriers are traversed to lay the several wefts simultaneously. Should, however, any one or more of the catches be released from said arm, the carrier or carriers appertaining to the released catch or catches is or are not traversed by the reciprocating member and the laying of the Weft or'wefts of the said carrier or carriers is or are interrupted.

In order selectively to interrupt the laying of any one or more of the wefts, a plurallty of the afore-described rotatably or pivotally mounted finger members 24 are provided, the two-armed levers 27 27 27 appertalning to said fingers being acted upon at predetermined intervals by high links 25 on one or more travelling chains 26 or by. projections on one or more rotary drums to coact with the tail ortion 22 of any one or more of the pivo e'd catches 22 and depress said tail, such action raising the oppos'te end of the catch i and releasing therefrom he lateral arm 14 of thecontinuously' reciprocating member.

vIt will thus be seen that, depending upon the disposition of the high links or the like, the weft carriers are selectively interrupted in their traversing motion, the carrier or carriers which are disconnected from the lateral arm of-the reciprocating sleeve being automatically connected for traversing the weft when the catch engaging finger has passed overa high link by reason of the said lateral arm passing beneath the bevelled end of the ing warp threadsto the needles, a weft threadcatch. and entering the recess beneath same,

- carrier, a continuously reciprocating member,

In a further modification the interruption a pivoted catch mounted on said weft thread of the laying of weft may be eflected'by discarrierand adapted to engage with'said re- I engaging said weft from the carrying means ciprocating member to cause same to traverse therefor. In such an arrangement the carrier the said carrier and lay the weft thread be- 6 .may be provided with an open end 6" in hind the needles, an inclined surface on said place of a closed eye, the opemng belng of catch member, a selectively fie'movable'memsuch a form that'the weft can enter or escape her with which the said inclined surface is from the carrier; when such weft is caused to adapted to engage pivotally to displace the thread L follow a predetermined ath between the said catch and release the said we edg ii h ri 33 n a fixed guide 34 carrier from the reciprocating member, and sulta y (Figures 13 and 14;). While weft iS being front of the needles,

thence to I laid the weft thread 5 passes from such fixed- '2. In awarp knitting machine, in e mbi guide 34: direct to .the weft-carrier 6 anld nation, a, needle bed, means for supplying the edge of the fabrlc 33. When I warp threadsto the needles, a weft thread car.- is desired to interrupt weft laymg a deflect rier, a continuously reciprocating member, g member 3 p g. between the I fixed a spring influenced catch member pivoted inguide- 34 and. the weft carrier 6 1 broug 111170 termediate of its extremities mounted on said opera ion by any Suitable mechanlsm 1 Such carrier and adapted to engage with said rea manner deflecting member, to the edge; Of h fabric the said carrier and lay the weft thread on a 33 coincides with the opemng the end fixed. grid to the rear of the needles, an inof the weft carrier 6 so that w en the weft li d t il rti ifl bgg h b a, carrier 6 begins ltS next stroke the weft 1S rod member carried by levepand Pl above h p of the Carrier means for moving the laid weftthread' to the that the w f the Weft from the. ciprocating member to causesame to traverseso I not carried'with it. The deflectin member j ti ,i th di ti i whi h th ft 35 may be withdrawn from the we 5 t an carrier is traversed, said inclined tail portion [convenient point inthe cycle of motionspre of th t h be bei d t d t ov era ly at or near h n 9 t k into engagement with the said rod-to release a q g the weftito resume Its normal the weft carrier from thesa'id reciprocating Whlch crosses. the P of the W camel 1 member, controlling'means forselectivel dissuch a manner as to be engaged by its end6 and-carried with it on the next ensuing stroke.

f accomplished from a travelling chain or ban The operation of thedeflector 35 'may b to which motion is transmitted from the main .drive 11 of themachine through suitable means. A spring'may be provided to return the deflector to the vertical position,

The shogging of thewarps 3 may be ef- Y fected from the main drive sh ft 11 in any suitable-or known manner;

The tensioning' -of the warps' and wefts and the feeding of'same to the machine may be accomplished in any convenient or known manner.

The take up of the faliricCmay also lbe ef-.

fected in any known manner, say for example Figure. l.

V 'facturing fabric having at predeterminedjm 1 divided.

by of the roller indicated-at 36 The machine in accordance with this invention is particularly applicable for manutervals a lateral band or division composed of-a number of courses void of wefts, at which bands the fabric is adapted be subsequent- Claims'r' placing the said pivoted lever and ro into and out of the path her, a movable grid termeshing with 'the the needles, and. an interceptor member engaging the weft at each same fouling the needles.

'3. In a warp knitting machine, in combicglthe said catch memi selvedge'toprevent nation, means for supplying warp threads to.

the needles, a plurality of weft thread car-1 riers, a continuously reciprocating member,

1 a centrally pivotedcatch member mounted on each carrier and "adapted to engage with said reciprocating member and be traversed thereby, an'inclined tail portion on each catch a member, a plurality of parts projecting from 1 I a plurality of pivoted levers, the said inclined tail portions of the catch members being adapted to move into engagement with said projections to releasetheir corresponding carriers from the reciprocating member, and an intermittently traversablepattern chain provided with high links adapted selectively to displace the. said pivoted'levers and their vprojections into and out of the path of the said carrier catches to select the said carriers for traverse.

tion from selvedge to selvedge' and locked by kmttedloopacomposed 'o'f warp threads,.in v combination, a needle bed, means for 'supply- I WILL o mas, 

